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Game Nights Creamy Beef: 7 Irresistible Recipes

Game Nights Creamy Beef

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This Creamy Beef Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball is the ultimate game night snack, blending rich cream cheese, sharp cheddar, and crispy beef bacon into a delightful appetizer. Perfect for scooping with your favorite dippers.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz full-fat cream cheese, softened to room temperature
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup crispy beef bacon, crumbled (reserve half for coating)
  • 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
  • 2 green onions (scallions), finely chopped (reserve a tablespoon for coating)
  • 1 dash Worcestershire sauce
  • Optional: pinch of smoked paprika
  • Optional: tiny bit of hot sauce or finely diced jalapeño (seeds removed)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Beef Bacon: Start by cooking your beef bacon until it’s perfectly crispy. Pan-fry it over medium heat until it renders its fat and turns golden brown and crunchy. Transfer the crispy beef bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess grease. Let it cool completely, then crumble it into small pieces. Reserve about half of the crumbled beef bacon for the outer coating, and the other half will be mixed into the cheese ball.
  2. Soften the Cream Cheese: Ensure your cream cheese is at room temperature for a smooth mixture. If you forgot to take it out ahead of time, unwrap the blocks and microwave them on low power for 15-20 second intervals until just softened.
  3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add your softened cream cheese, ranch seasoning mix, and a dash of Worcestershire sauce. Using a hand mixer or a sturdy spatula, beat or mix these ingredients together until well combined and smooth.
  4. Add Cheeses and Mix-ins: Add the shredded cheddar cheese, about half of the crumbled beef bacon, and most of your finely chopped green onions (reserving a tablespoon or two for the coating) to the cream cheese mixture. Gently fold everything together until evenly distributed.
  5. Shape the Cheese Ball: Transfer the mixture to a piece of plastic wrap. Using the plastic wrap, shape the mixture into a firm, round ball. Press it together tightly to ensure it holds its form.
  6. Chill Thoroughly: Wrap the cheese ball tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld and the cheese ball to firm up.
  7. Coat and Serve: Just before serving, unwrap the chilled cheese ball. In a shallow dish, combine the remaining crumbled beef bacon and the reserved chopped green onions. Roll the cheese ball in this mixture until fully coated.
  8. Present and Enjoy: Transfer your beautifully coated Creamy Beef Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball to a serving platter. Arrange an assortment of dippers around it, such as sturdy crackers, pretzel crisps, celery sticks, carrot sticks, and bell pepper strips.

Notes

    Nutrition